NCR air quality 'very poor', to worsen on Wednesday
India | December 26, 2017 21:49 ISTThe safe limit for PM2.5 as per international standards is 25 units, while for national standards, it is 40 units.
The safe limit for PM2.5 as per international standards is 25 units, while for national standards, it is 40 units.
According to the officials, the reason for not enough improvement is only a slight dip in high level of pollutants already present in the air here, along with a hike in moisture and s drop in temperature.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had predicted that light showers in NCR, including Delhi, between Monday and Wednesday will help to bring down the pollution level here.
The Arvind Kejriwal-led Delhi government on Wednesday submitted an action plan to the National Green Tribunal, saying that the odd-even scheme will be implemented in Delhi without any exemptions.
Delhi's traffic cops have been advised to wear pollution masks while performing duty, do 'pranayam' and breathing exercises, try meditation and eat healthy food.
On Thursday, the average value of major pollutant PM2.5 -- or particles in the air with diameter less than 2.5 micrometers -- was 227 units across Delhi-NCR at 7 p.m, which is nine times higher than the safe limit.
A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar ordered the AAP government and states of Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan to positively submit their plan before December 4.
The stubble burning, which according to the farmers is in the last phase, however continued in Delhi for the third day and in Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh since last week.
As stubble burning increases and spreads across districts of Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, satellite images showed cases of crop-residue burning in north Delhi towards Haryana border where farming community resides.
According to the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR), the air quality of Delhi-NCR is likely to worsen over the next three days.
Air quality in Delhi on Saturday was the best in over a month as drizzle coupled with bright sun and wind helped disperse particulates, an official said.
The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) on Saturday recorded the Air Quality Index (AQI) of Delhi-NCR at 301 and Delhi recorded 308 at 7 p.m.
Experts say the rain in the national capital on Friday night and early Saturday morning was responsible for the improvement in air quality.
The major pollutant PM2.5 or particles with diameter less than 2.5 micro meter, recorded 299 units - putting it in "poor" category while PM10 concentration was found at 202 units - considered as "poor".
The green panel directed shopkeepers and shoppers to park their vehicles in the multi-level parking lot, constructed by the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC), which will remain open round-the-clock.
On November 14, the NGT had expressed concern over the high pollution level, terming it as an "environmental and health emergency". The city should "not gift infected lungs to its children", it had observed.
The Power Ministry today cleared a proposal to use parali with coal as fuel in thermal power stations to generate electricity.
Delhi government told HC that its hospitals, dispensaries and mohalla clinics were ready deal with any health issues posed by the poor air quality.
Centre-run monitoring agency SAFAR has identified a West Asian dust storm as the chief trigger behind the recent smog episode in the region.
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